Students studying Agricultural Science independently will receive:
- Exceptional tuition from Ireland’s leading teachers
- 2 hours of class per week
- Weekly support with homework and projects
- Live class recordings to rewatch at any time throughout the school year until the end of the State Exams in 2027
- The Institute’s renowned exam-focused class notes
- Exam strategies – answer techniques, marking schemes and time management
The teacher for this Agricultural Science Studying Independently course is Conor Leech.
Topics Covered Include:
Soil:
- Soil Formation
- Physical characteristics of soil
- Chemical characteristics of soil
- Biological characteristics of soil
- Soil fertility and management
Crops:
- Crop production and management
- Plant classification
- Plant physiology
- Catch crop – Kale
- Food crop for human consumption – Potatoes
Animals:
- Animal physiology
- Animal nutrition
- Dairy – breeds, production and management
- Milk composition and milk production
- Markets for Irish produce, feature of grass-fed animals, traceability
- Beef – breeds, production and management
- Sheep – breeds, production and management
- Pigs – breeds, production and management
- Animal health and welfare
- Farmyard layout
Genetics:
- Applied animal genetics
- Applied plant genetics
Grassland:
- Characteristics and growth
- Management
- Conservation; silage and hay
- Sowing and reseeding
Scientific Practices:
- Scientific method
- Types of data
- Variables
- Hypothesis
- Precision & accuracy
- Evaluating scientific information
Specified Practical Activities (experiments):
- 22 experiments throughout the course
Other areas:
- Technology
- Farm machinery
- Health & Safety
- Sustainability
- Impact of agriculture on the environment
Coursework Information
The project in Agricultural Science is worth 25%.
It involves completing the Individual Investigative Study (IIS) and preparing a portfolio of all mandatory experiments completed. It is based on a brief (title & theme) that the State Examinations Commission release every year. Students are expected to engage in research around this years theme and develop their own research question on which they will base their project on. To answer their research question, students will have to carry out one or more physical experiments and collect data. Based on the data collected and the research completed, students will complete a 2,500 word report on their findings. Students must be able to work independently on their projects and if possible to carry out some of the experimental work at home or on a farm. Engaging with teachers / school staff, taking photos of the experiment, documenting results and oversight by teachers / school staff authenticates the project as the students own work.
The preparation for the project commences late in the first term of the second year of classes (Academic year 2027-28). . Some classwork time will be dedicated to this, both for general instruction and for student questions, there will also be a number of onsite workshops to support students preparing for their projects. These occasional onsite workshops are scheduled on weekends, in consultation with the attending students.
Assessment
Homework is assigned and graded on a regular basis, with graded feedback provided.
End-of-topic assessments are regularly scheduled. Student progress is closely monitored to ensure ongoing skill development is progressing at the appropriate rate.
A Christmas assessment and Summer report will be issued.